F1's engine silly season about to kick off

With Red Bull eyeing a supply of Mercedes power units and talk of Renault buying Lotus, DIETER RENCKEN investigates the potential upheaval in store on the engine side in Formula 1

Since the Austrian Grand Prix - where Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz voiced his dissatisfaction with his team's engine supplier Renault - both parties have been extremely active behind the scenes while publicly paying lip service to their mutual "contractual obligations".

Mateschitz's blast encompassed a threat that Red Bull might leave F1, despite long-term contracts committing the company to the championship through to 2020. However, team insiders subsequently sought to explain his words, stating that Red Bull Racing could be forced to leave should it not secure a competitive engine partner.